Due to his on-going treatment for cancer, King Charles III will not be able to attend the annual Maundy Thursday service, but has instead recorded a message in which he praises those who “extend the hand of friendship, especially in a time of need”.

The audio address will be played at the service at Worcester Cathedral. The King had sent a video message to the annual Commonwealth service earlier this month, but it is understood that because the cathedral does not have video facilities, he repeated his sentiments in a special recording, which includes a bible reading, as well as a call to the nation.

Queen Camilla will again represent her husband as she undertakes the traditional handing out of purses of coins known as “Maundy money” and this year the number of recipients matches the age of the monarch, meaning that 75 men and women who have been involved in helping the church and the local community, will receive this symbolic gift.

The Maundy service is one of the oldest royal ceremonies, dating back at least as far as the 13th Century and the reign of King John, a monarch who is buried in the medieval cathedral in central England.

Until James II in the 17th Century, the reigning monarch would also wash the feet of the poor, in an echo of Jesus washing the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper.

Important to care for others

In the recording it is believed that King Charles avoids speaking directly about his own condition, or indeed the health of the Princess of Wales, who announced her own cancer diagnosis just last week.

Instead, he speaks of the importance of those who care for others. His message will say “we should serve and care for each other” and will repeat his Coronation promise “not to be served, but to serve”. He will also praise those getting the Maundy Money as “wonderful examples of such kindness”.

Specially minted coins

Those chosen few who will be this year’s recipients, will receive £5 coins with the image of a Tudor dragon, a 50p marking the The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s 200th anniversary and specially minted silver Maundy coins.

Bringing together faith leaders

In the run-up to Easter, the King hosted a gathering of faith leaders in Buckingham Palace. The meeting, held on Tuesday 26th, was in support of a charity that brings together representatives of religious faiths, including Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders.

The act of building bridges between religions and encouraging tolerance has been a long-standing cause for Charles, well before he took over the monarchy.

Encouraging sign

The King has not attended big public events with large crowds since his diagnosis, but he will be at the Easter church service on Sunday morning at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. This will be seen as an encouraging sign about how his treatment is going.

It will be a smaller event this time around, and although the royal couple will be joined by many of the senior royals, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children will not be in attendance, as Kate continues her recovery.

Pride in daughter-in-law’s courage

In her own video statement last week about her cancer diagnosis, Kate opened herself up in a really personal way to the public, to which she received a mountain of praise and support.

Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of Charles in relation to that interview, which read: “His Majesty is so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did”.

In a separate message the Palace said Charles is in “the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law”, and that both the King and Queen would “continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.”